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Long Jin

Time to Invest: Predicting What's Next for Technology in Hospitality | hospitalityupgra... - 0 views

www.hospitalityupgrade.com/...magazine_Detail-ID-702.asp

technology investment hospitality

shared by Long Jin on 27 May 12 - No Cached
  •   If you make the right choice, today’s investments may last for 10 or even 20 years.
  • We see three major trends that we think will shape our world between now and 2020.
  • Despite that no one really even agrees on the meaning of the word, there is no question that the cloud is by far the biggest area of investment.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Mobility gives us the ability to communicate with our guests and staff in real time. 
  • Many hotels have shortchanged the investment in upgrading bandwidth and supporting Wi-Fi infrastructure, believing that the migration of mobile devices to 4G/LTE cellular technologies will solve the problem by ultimately reducing or eliminating Wi-Fi.  But a look at where the megacarriers are investing proves this assumption completely false. 
  • sultan alharbi on 27 May 12
     
    This article indicates that there are three majors shaping our world between now and 2020. Those are the cloud, mobility, and Cellular Offload. We should determine the major trends, and then invest in solutions that align with those trends. Interestingly, it is mentioned some insights provide clues as which investments will be future proof to and witch will be risks. From hospitality perspective, equipment and maintenance performed by on-site or locally based staff, which is great for all owners. Also, It can be seen that the cloud allows investors to make big investments in its service.
  • Long Jin on 26 Oct 12
     
    This article introduced three major trends that we think will shape our world between now and 2020. The author thought one of the biggest challenges for any technology executive is predicting the landscape of toolsets and IT infrastructure that will be available in the future. The correct choice can last at least 10 years and there are three major trends, cloud, mobility and cellular offload. For cloud, the author thought it is good for hospitality. It holds the promise of relieving the hotel owner of responsibility for managing the operation and integration of premise-based systems, with associated costs for deployment, equipment and maintenance performed by on-site or locally based staff. Also, the author thought the mobility creates both opportunity and challenge. It can be used to both define new service models and revenue streams, and to improve existing ones. Today's challenge is that mobility requires massive investment in wireless infrastructure and bandwidth .Finally, the author thought as it is far cheaper for a cellular carrier to build or fund a Wi-Fi network, than to install an additional cell tower and/or buy additional spectrum, it is good news for hotels. It means that cellular companies have an economic reason to help fund hotel Wi-Fi networks.
anonymous

Integrating social into CRM for smarter customer care | ZDNet - 0 views

www.zdnet.com/...4843

shared by anonymous on 03 Jun 12 - No Cached
  • Customer Relationship Management can only get better with the integration of social tools into the customer process.
  • Lauren McKay tweeted about how much she loved cornbread when she was staying in the Gaylord hotel.
  • Room service delivered a selection of cornbread and a hand written note referring to her tweet four months before.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • Examples such as this are a great validation for the socially savvy Gaylord chain.
  • We communicate using many different channels. Of course some of us prefer to use the phone to sort issues out but increasingly we might prefer to use instant messaging, Facebook or Twitter.
  • Brands are trying to go social with their customer interactions, but are struggling to integrate social channels into their traditional systems. Traditional CRM, or indeed social CRM might not allow the customers to interact with a real person from the brand.
  • Information from Twitter feeds back into its social CRM system and added to the customer record.
  • But brands sometimes have challenges integrating the flood of information into social CRM systems. It can be difficult to keep track of each channel of communication.
  • It uses social customer interactions and real time social monitoring of Twitter and Facebook pages. Real time monitoring of conversation is vital if the brand is to be proactive and responsive to the customer.
  • “Industry reports indicate that of customers who complain about a company on social media, more than 70 per cent of those complaints receive no response from the company. It’s time for change”.
  • anonymous on 03 Jun 12
     
    This article discusses how CRM's use social media to promptly communicate with customers. I thought it was very interesting that 70% of the complaints made by customers via a sm outlet are not responded to. Examples are given as to how some companies use teams whose specific responsibility is to respond to customer complaints by text, email, twitter, and/or facebook. I thought it was cool that one guests tweet about loving cornbread, turned into a response by room service to deliver cornbread right to her room.
Claire Conway

GDS usage on the rise as travel demand grows - 1 views

www.hotelnewsnow.com/...he-rise-as-travel-demand-grows

GDS

shared by Claire Conway on 16 Jul 12 - No Cached
  • A study conducted by the American Society of Travel Agents in 2009 found the percentage of member travel agencies that used the GDS channel declined from 98% in 1999 to 79% in 2009.
  • However, despite the decrease in GDS usage amid the most recent global economic downturn, hotel companies and travelers still find value in the channel, according to sources interviewed for this report.
  • Sabre Travel Network, for example, saw an increase of more than 7% in its GDS bookings during the first quarter of 2012 over the same period last year, said Nancy St. Pierre, a spokeswoman for Sabre, which is one among several major GDS companies including Abacus, Amadeus, Galileo and Worldspan.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • The GDS is not going away any time soon because of the unique solutions it provides for hotels and travelers alike, according to Robert Cole, founder of hotel marketing firm RockCheetah.
  • The GDS also provides enhanced marketing support, St. Pierre said
  • Many hoteliers are attempting to leverage those increases in demand through dynamic pricing models, which offers clients a percentage off a hotel’s best available rate on each travel date as opposed to a fixed, negotiated rate for the year
  • GDS would provide additional value if distribution costs were lowered. “I think that what hotel companies don’t like about GDS is there’s a relatively high transaction fee.”
  • diana morales on 16 Jul 12
     
    In 2009 the GDS usage declined from 98% to 79%. ALthough there has not been a demand to use this technology, there has been a demand in the first quarter in 2012. There has been an increase because of corporate business demand. GDS is being used to transfer room inventory to global distribution partners as well as travel agents and OTA's. Hotels using the GDS technology offer a percentage to a client instead of a fixed rate. This happens as long as companies have access to the hotel's system everyday. According to Robert Cole, The GDS system is notgoing anywhere because of its unique solutitons to hotels and travelers. It makes it easier for everyone.
  • ...3 more comments...
  • Caroline Hardenbergh on 25 Jul 12
     
    Although there was a significant slowdown of GDS usage between 1999 to 2009, bookings are steadily increasing over 2012's first quarter. The growing demand is primarily from corporate travel, but leisure travel reservations are also picking up speed as well, especially in the form of job related trips that end with vacation days. Hoteliers are increasingly following a "dynamic pricing model" which has flexibility of rates to increase during high demand and vice versa, encouraging weekend stay-overs and group rates. In spite of previous estimations, GDS enhances the online search tools rather than being replaced by them, since it is much better suited to handle large amounts of site traffic than smaller companies and independent, as well as providing a cost-free marketing presence for the tourism providers. Hotels still consider GDS transaction fees high, but this is an ongoing negotiation. Corporations appreciate GDS' security reporting features which pinpoint employee locations as well.
  • Kevona Richardson on 13 Aug 12
     
    Corporate travel demand is primarily responsible for the rise of GDS usage. There has been an increase in business travel. Many consumers are attempting to leverage those increase in demand through GDS. The pricing model provides consumers with a lower rate through GDS than the actual average rate. The GDS is not going away anytime sooon.
  • Xiaoxiao Wang on 30 Jan 13
     
    This article shows that although GDS were thought to be the end, with its efforts of changing price and strategies, it still can postpones its life circle and continue growing gradually. However, I am a little doubt about this article, because the result it concludes just based on the interviews of three person.
  • Katie Gallagher on 01 Jun 13
     
    This article is about how global distribution systems are still in demand even though they were said to be dying out. Industry leaders thought that with the development of online travel agencies, GDS's would soon be out of business. This isn't the case though. Well it is proven that member travel agencies have been using GDS's less this could be linked to the economy. The people who are purchasing travel through online travel agencies are still using the GDS every day. Business travel is also up in the past 10 years and also an increase in business travelers extending their stays for leisure. With that leisure and corporate traveler are help keeping GDS's alive. But GDS's would be even more profitable if they lowered their transaction fees.
  • Claire Conway on 07 Jun 13
     
    The GDS has decreased steadily over the past decade, but recent studies have shown that there has been a small increase. The increase is thought to be due to corporate travel.  Many hotels are trying to increase the use of the GDS through dynamic pricing models. This model offers a percentage off the hotels best available rate depending on what the demand is. The GDS provides many benefits like facilitating the online search process, offering immediate access to information without using a marketing budget, and high sense of security. The only downfall is that the distribution costs are too high, because transaction fees usually are around $5. 
lkastwood

Tablets Are Making Waiters Obsolete - Business Insider - 0 views

www.businessinsider.com/making-waiters-obsolete-2014-6

hospitality technology business tablets emenu waiters chilli's

shared by lkastwood on 23 Sep 17 - No Cached
  • The casual dining spot has recently introduced tablets in dining rooms nationwide that customers can use to place orders, browse the menu, and entertain otherwise noisy children.
  • As tablets in restaurants go, Chili's has become a standard bearer. They just announced the introduction of 45,000 Ziosk tablets in 800 locations.
  • But Chili's is not alone in this push toward automation. Applebee's announced the installation of 100,000 tablets last December
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • Some major chains have already made the bet. Buffalo Wild Wings announced a big tablet push in March, promising to have them in all North American stores by the end of 2015.
  • E la Carte cofounder and CEO Rajat Suri argued that tablets are designed to work alongside human employees, not replace them.
  • These enhancements are geared toward increasing customer satisfaction and driving up revenue. Patrons are far more like to buy a restaurant gift card or buy dessert if they're pleased with their dinning experience at the end of the meal. 
  • Tablets are also making life better for waiters with the help of some behavioral science.
  • This tablet tsunami suggests waiters might not be getting the job done.
  • lkastwood on 23 Sep 17
     
    Sam Colt wrote an article for Business Insider titled Tablets Are Making Waiters Obsolete - An Chilli's Is Leading The Way. This article bothered me a bit, because knowing what I know about Hospitality we build our brand around customer service and customer satisfaction and how can we do that if we are eliminating the person to person interaction. In his article Colt mentioned Chili's "has recently introduced tablets in dining rooms nationwide that customers can use to place orders, browse the menu, and entertain otherwise noisy children". I understand the thought behind keeping your guests entertain while they wait for service; however, I believe it should be just that, entertainment not self-service. Dine in restaurants should not be treated like a fast food restaurant and guests should expect a reasonable wait time. Having that person to person interaction makes a dining experience more enjoyable. E la Carte co-founder and CEO Rajat Suri argued "if someone does not want to spend time with a server, they're going to ignore the server anyways." My thoughts are why would you dine in a restaurant if you do not want to be severed, why not go to a fast food restaurant. Chili's states the tablets are solely for increasing customer satisfaction and increase revenue and suggests the tablets are making the life of waiters better.
sharlabrunsvold

At Disney Parks, a Bracelet Meant to Build Loyalty (and Sales) - The New York Times - 3 views

www.nytimes.com/...o-build-loyalty-and-sales.html

disney bracelet new york times

shared by sharlabrunsvold on 12 May 20 - No Cached
  • The initiative is part of a broader effort, estimated by analysts to cost between $800 million and $1 billion, to make visiting Disney parks less daunting and more amenable to modern consumer behavior. Disney is betting that happier guests will spend more money.
  • Disney is not the first vacation company to use wristbands equipped with radio frequency identification, or RFID, chips. Great Wolf Resorts, an operator of 11 water parks in North America, has been using them since 2006.
  • The logistical challenges involved in pulling this off are extensive. Disney has 60,000 employees here and many must be retrained to use new technology.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • At Disney
  • sharlabrunsvold on 12 May 20
     
    Since most of us no longer give Magic Bands at Walt Disney World a second thought, I thought it would be interesting to look into the past to see how they were interrupted before they were launched. This article discusses the risks, challenges, costs, and competitors at the time. It dives into the discussion many Disney fans had about their privacy and well-being, and it directly aligns with our material this week. We can now see the pay off of this specific management information system, showing their importance in a business's success.
laura kaczkowski

Uniform Marketing New Restaurant Technology of the Future - 0 views

www.qsrmagazine.com/...ould-your-crew-wear-mobile-ads

shared by laura kaczkowski on 09 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • When Superior Uniform Group (sug) began manufacturing uniforms in 1920, chances are no one in the company ever thought it would launch a media division more than nine decades later.
  • Through a licensing agreement with Eyelevel Interactive, the division offers advertising panels with mobile action codes that can attach to uniforms with Velcro. Customers can scan the mobile action codes, or MACs (similar to the QR codes that many quick serves are including with marketing materials) with their smartphones using popular apps like Microsoft Tag, Android’s ZXing, and various iPhone apps.
  • “What we’re doing is taking the uniform, which is [traditionally] a utilitarian item used to identify employees, and turning it into a flexible and effective point-of-purchase advertising system,” says SUG CEO Michael Benstock.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • Of course, the interaction encouraged by such a uniform amounts to more than just looking. Customers would have to wave their phones in the vicinity of an employee’s uniform (in many cases, the employee’s back) to scan the MAC. It’s safe to assume a few customers and employees might find this kind of interaction a little uncomfortable, but de Mattei says none of the brands he is negotiating with have raised serious concerns.
  • McDonald’s would not confirm to QSR whether it is working with SUG or planning to roll out interactive uniforms. Subway spokesman Les Winograd says the company believes the concept of interactive uniforms has “merit,” but “they are not something we are actively looking at right now.” Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold says the Denver-based chain isn’t exploring the option, either. It remains to be seen whether interactive uniforms make sense for quick-serve restaurants. The glaring concern is an obvious one: crewmembers strive to serve their menu items quickly, and having customers scanning employee uniforms may slow down service
  • “My overall opinion of QR codes is really favorable,” he says. “I’m completely convinced that they are very powerful in what they can do for a brand. It’s a big opportunity, but I wonder if uniforms are the place where we’ll see this pop in [quick service].”
  • laura kaczkowski on 09 Nov 12
     
    In the article "Would Your Crew Wear Mobile Apps?" it talks about a new way of advertising through uniforms. On the back of a crew members uniform there is a QR code and the customer just has to scan the code it shows them coupons and deals the restaurant is promoting. I feel that this way of advertising is easy and fun; people love using technology and what better way to incorporate it then by using your Smartphone! In the article they asked different fast food restaurants if they would use this product and although they thought it was a good idea they felt that it would be taking away from a fast paced environment. In the article it states that traditional media is not what it use to be, ""There are billions of dollars being spent on it, and [traditional ads] are driving consumers to the stores, but at that point consumers still don't know what they're going to buy." Overall, I feel that this product would bring in a lot of customers and it's a great way to advertise things on the menu, I'm all for this idea!
dstic005

Food for Thought: Time to Upgrade Your Hotel's Restaurant Technologies? | - 1 views

hoteltechnologynews.com/...hotels-restaurant-technologies

shared by dstic005 on 08 Sep 18 - No Cached
  • most notably, the introduction of tablets. Whether standard-issue, all-purpose models or devices specialized to the task at hand, tablets make it possible to put full POS terminal functionality in the palms of servers’ hands. Yet the benefits of POS mobility are certainly not the only reason that so many hotel operators are upgrading their restaurant technology capabilities. The growing need to accept new payment methods, including chip credit cards and e-wallet apps, also ranks as high priority in many peoples’ minds.
    • dstic005
      dstic005 on 08 Sep 18
       
      Tablets are being used at many hotels to make the data mobile. No longer is the staff restricted to the front desk to access the data, they can move freely thought the property and meet the guests with the necessary data to help them. In addition to having the data for guests, the newer technologies offer the ability for improved POS.
  • dstic005 on 08 Sep 18
     
    Article asks the question if you are utilizing the best technology for you business. Data and POS hardware and software upgrades. Movie from registers to Tablets
rnobl005

The damage from Atlanta's huge cyberattack is even worse than the city first thought | ... - 0 views

techcrunch.com/...atlanta-information-management

shared by rnobl005 on 08 Jul 18 - No Cached
  • The damage from Atlanta’s huge cyberattack is even worse than the city first thought | TechCrunch
    • rnobl005
      rnobl005 on 08 Jul 18
       
      After reading the discussion prompt for this week, the recent cyberattack on Atlanta immediately came to mind. This scenario is a prime example as to why cities need to invest in cybersecurity. The city paid the ransom demand of $50,000, but the damage of the attack itself was much more costly - they estimate having to spend $9.5 million to rebuild many programs that are not salvageable. It's hard to say if this was preventable had Atlanta invested in some form of cybersecurity but I think this is a new trend that major cities should be aware of and start taking preventative measures on.
  • The damage from Atlanta’s huge cyberattack is even worse than the city first thought | TechCrunch
  • More than two months after a cyberattack hobbled many of its critical municipal systems, the city of Atlanta is still sorting through the wreckage of what is likely the worst cyberattack targeting a U.S. city to date.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • On March 22, Atlanta’s connected systems city-wide were hit with a ransomware message locking their respective files and demanding an approximately $50,000 payment in bitcoin
  • Atlanta residents were unable to do simple city system-dependent tasks like paying parking tickets or utility bills. City employees didn’t get the all-clear to turn on their computers until five days later and many city systems still have not recovered.
    • rnobl005
      rnobl005 on 08 Jul 18
       
      The cybersecurity article focused on global issues and potential military conflict, but this article proves that cybersecurity can impact the more mundane aspects of our life.
  • at least one third of the 424 software programs that the city runs remain offline or partially inoperable. Almost 30 percent of those programs are deemed “mission critical” by the city meaning that they control crucial city services like the court system and law enforcement.
    • rnobl005
      rnobl005 on 08 Jul 18
       
      Again, on a global scale the Atlanta court system doesn't sound super threatening. But for the city it's obviously a huge blow and will take years to bring everything up to speed.
  • While reporting the updated numbers, Rackley estimated that $9.5 million would need to be added to the department’s $35 million budget to address the remaining damage
  • That amount is on top of the more than two million dollars in emergency procurements sought by Atlanta Information Management following the attack.
  • Earlier this week, Atlanta’s Police Chief disclosed that the cyberattack destroyed “years” worth of police dash cam video footage.
    • rnobl005
      rnobl005 on 08 Jul 18
       
      Another terrible loss due to the cyberattack.
  • Atlanta has been regarded as a frontrunner for Amazon’s second headquarters in some analyses, though it’s not immediately clear how the cyberattack will affect the city’s odds.
msoma003

Important Factors to Consider When Getting a Property Management System for Your Hotel ... - 1 views

www.4hoteliers.com/...11012

shared by msoma003 on 16 Feb 18 - No Cached
  • the heart that keeps the machine beating perfectly
  • integral to the functioning
  • security to be their top priority
  • ...14 more annotations...
  • must be PCI compliant
  • must be protected at all costs
  • The best kind of technology is that which is absolutely easy to use
  • requires minimum training for people
  • Any PMS you consider should be able to connect and send information to mobile devices.
  • Secondly, a good PMS should be able to pull a guest’s history to discern what he likes and what his preferences were. This way, if a repeat guest has booked a room by the swimming pool in the past, the system will automatically book him the same room or something similar to that.
    • msoma003
      msoma003 on 16 Feb 18
       
      These are the small things that impact the guest
  • integrate it with any other solution
  • making low end decisions on behalf of the hotel
  • For instance, it should be able to auto assign rooms based on the guests’ preferences.
    • msoma003
      msoma003 on 16 Feb 18
       
      Never thought of this but this would be amazing!
  • Not only does this promote operational efficiency, your staff will also be able to deliver great guest service on the go.
  • property management system can automate this process, sending out emails related to confirmation of reservations, post-stay thank you’s, and everything else in between.
  • advanced reporting
    • msoma003
      msoma003 on 16 Feb 18
       
      This is essential
  • even revenue per available room.
    • msoma003
      msoma003 on 16 Feb 18
       
      Again these reports are essential for reservations and revenue teams
  • combines the best parts of workflow management and decision automation. It also displays a fair amount of intelligence, learning from external systems it’s integrated with, and delivering subtle insights that help improve guest relations.
  • msoma003 on 16 Feb 18
     
    The article discussed the factors to consider when choosing a PMS system. While they are some factors that were essential there were also some that i had never thought of. Mobility is something PMS systems have not traditionally offered in the past but it is something to consider now, the article did mention that it will enhance the guest experience, I wouldn't consider this a deal breaker. Reporting is a deal breaker the system needs to have advanced reporting and tracking to accurately forecast the future. One of the considerations was also auto function such as auto assigning rooms based on preference, this is actually a great function I never thought of. Overall the article did bring up some great points to consider.
shineal

What Brain-Computer Interfaces Could Mean for the Future of Work - 0 views

hbr.org/...ld-mean-for-the-future-of-work

interfaces future

shared by shineal on 13 Jan 23 - No Cached
  • Brain computer interfaces (BCIs) are slowly moving into the mass market. In the next few years, we might be able to control our PowerPoint presentation or Excel files using only our brains. And companies may want to use BCI technology to monitor the attention levels and mental states of their employees
  • imagine if you could prepare your next presentation using only your thoughts. These scenarios might soon become a reality thanks to the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).
  • I expect to see a growing number of professionals leveraging BCI tools to improve their performance at work. For example, your BCI could detect that your attention level is too low compared with the importance of a given meeting or task and trigger an alert. It could also adapt the lighting of your office based on how stressed you are, or prevent you from using your company car if drowsiness is detected.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • A Toronto-based startup called “Muse” has developed a sensing headband that gives real-time information about what’s going on in your brain.
  • Despite these promising results, some experts, such as Theodore Zanto, a director of the UCSF neuroscience program, say that while BCIs based on EEG scans can determine a user’s attention levels, they are as of yet still incapable of differentiating what the user is actually focused on.
  • Experts believe that around “15-30% of individuals are inherently not able to produce brain signals robust enough to operate a BCI.” Obviously, this situation can lead to wrong results and ultimately bad decisions from companies. BCIs still have a long way to go, and much improvement is needed.
  • In the next few years, we might be able to control our PowerPoint presentation or Excel files using only our brains. Some prototypes can translate brain activity into text or instructions for a computer, and in theory, as the technology improves, we’ll see people using BCIs to write memos or reports at work.
  • Researchers are also experimenting with “passthoughts” as an alternative to passwords. Soon, we might log into our various devices and platforms using our thoughts. As described in this IEEE Spectrum article, “When we perform mental tasks like picturing a shape or singing a song in our heads, our brains generate unique neuronal electrical signals. A billion people could mentally hum the same song and no two brain-wave patterns generated by that task would be alike. An electroencephalograph (EEG) would read those brain waves using noninvasive electrodes that record the signals. The unique patterns can be used like a password or biometric identification.”
  • BCIs aren’t a perfect technology — there’s no telling what sort of mistakes or mishaps we’ll encounter as companies and individuals begin to use these devices in the real-world. What’s more, BCIs — like any technology — can be hacked. Hackers can access a BCI headband and create/send manipulated EEG data. A hacker could also intercept and alter all data transmitted by your BCI. It’s possible that a hacker could steal your “passthoughts” user credentials and interact with your devices (laptop, car, etc.). These risks can directly impact our physical integrity. Brain data could also be stolen to be used against you for extortion purposes. The potential for serious abuse is significant.
  • shineal on 13 Jan 23
     
    This article is on Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and what the future of the work environment could be. Based on the information published, employers would have the ability to leverage brain activities to effect greater productivity in the workplace. However, since BCIs are capable of detecting the mental state and thoughts of employees, there are many privacy and ethical issues that will certainly be derived from the use of these types of technologies.
rnobl005

How Facial Recognition Is Shaping the Future of Conferences - Skift - 5 views

skift.com/...ping-the-future-of-conferences

shared by rnobl005 on 16 May 18 - No Cached
  • How Facial Recognition Is Shaping the Future of Conferences – Skift
    • rnobl005
      rnobl005 on 16 May 18
       
      MODULE 2: Hardware and Software (Rebecca Noble) I did a deep dive into recent developments in the hospitality software world and came across this article from September of 2017. It focuses on facial recognition software and there were some really great takeaways that I thought would be beneficial to share with all of you. The software mentioned here definitely falls under Application Software. The article gives multiple examples of how facial recognition software can be utilized in the hospitality industry, specifically events and conferences. The main benefit of this from an event planner's perspective is easing the registration process which the article mentions is one of the most difficult parts of event logistics. Coming from an events background I can definitely attest to this statement. In one instance, Zenus (the software mentioned) made the check-in process run 5 times faster for attendees to uploaded their photo to the system compared to those who didn't. Thanks to this innovation, event planners can use their time more efficiently. Instead of focusing on the headache of check-in they can make sure the actual conference is running on track. The article also says that it's not as expensive as you would think. Additionally, this benefits attendees too because they can zip through registration and get right to the trade show floor or speaker they want to hear. The end of the article mentioned another application of the facial recognition software: a "smile swag" vending machine. Hampton Hotels tapped into the experiential aspect here - people were interested in getting a prize but they also wanted to see how the machine worked. What I liked about this is that it made technology fun. I noticed a lot of students in the lecture video thought that technology puts barriers into the hospitality industry because you lose the personal connection. But here software doesn't come off as cold. Hampton encouraged people to smile and in doing so hopefully g
  • High-tech software companies and event production firms are rolling out new technologies
  • improve event security, streamline the check-in process, and measure the attendee experience.
    • rnobl005
      rnobl005 on 16 May 18
       
      These are some of the benefits of incorporating the facial recognition software at a conference or event.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • speeds up the check-in process, prevents registration fraud, and adds an extra level of security to an event or conference by ensuring that the person who registered for the event is actually the person attending
  • Of the more than 250 guests that attended, most of whom were in-house corporate event planners, 126 used the facial recognition check-in, resulting in a process that was five times quicker than the barcode or QR system used at the previous year’s events.
    • rnobl005
      rnobl005 on 16 May 18
       
      Here is where the article mentions the software's impact on how much it can speed up the check-in process. Attendees don't necessarily have to participate, it's more of an additional tool. Not everyone may be a fan of this type of integration at an event but I definitely would be.
  • “insanely cost-effective” option,
  • facial recognition can drive down the costs of check-in to less than a dollar per attendee.
  • You can use a basic Android phone or an iPhone or tablet to work with the process, so you don’t have to invest a lot of money to make that work for you,” Wynant said.
    • rnobl005
      rnobl005 on 16 May 18
       
      I thought this was a really smart feature. The software works on platforms that companies already own potentially so there is little overhead financially.
  • Hampton Hotels partnered with agencyEA to create a vending machine that used facial recognition technology to dole out “smile swag.”
  • I think brands are starting to see it as having a really good opportunity to broaden what some of their goals are and engage audiences in new ways
Krystal Jost

Buffalo hotel launches Verve Living System | Hotel Management - 0 views

www.hotelmanagement.net/...ches-verve-living-system-18350

buffalo verve key hvac lighting wireless keycard equipment technology sustainability energy green hotel hospitality tech

shared by Krystal Jost on 19 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • When a guest enters the room, he or she places the room key into the slot on the KeyCard Switch which then transmits a wireless signal. When in place, guests have complete control over the lights, outlets and the HVAC unit in the room. When removed, the room is designated as unoccupied
  • it also can detect which in-room devices have low battery levels; which rooms have constant occupancy; which rooms have problems with network connectivity; and which are not communicating properly with the hotel PMS and other systems.
  • Krystal Jost on 19 Jan 13
     
    This article focuses on sustainability and methods in which technology is utilized to conserve energy and waste, while also not hindering the guest experience. Hotels, similar to the Salvatore Grand Hotel, have began implementing systems such as the Verve Living System, by Zeno Controls, LLC, that provide wireless connections to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, as well as the lighting in the guest room. It utilizes sensors to activate such amenities, and enables the guest to enter the room, place their key card into a slot, and it will begin to adjust to the preferred temperature and the preferred lighting levels. Once the key card is removed, such as when the guest is leaving the room, after a very short delay, it sends a signal that verifies the room is unoccupied, and turns off these energy-consuming items in the room. Many guests, when staying in hotels, do not consider turning off their lights or air conditioning when they leave the room, and simply leave everything running. They do not realize the impact this has not only on costs for the hotel itself, but also the impact that it has on energy consumption and sustainability. With the growing awareness of being "green", guests are focusing more and more on conservation, however, they may still be slacking in these areas, leaving things on, being absent minded. This system will allow guests to not have to worry about such tasks, and controls the system of turning these items off for them, adding convenience for the guest who is environmentally conscious. I have personally seen a similar system being used in a hotel room, and thought it was a great idea, and an amazing way to control costs and eliminate waste of resources. It is also very surprising to read that the Verve Living System detects low battery levels, constant occupancy, problems with room connectivity, and rooms that are not communicating with the hotel PMS or other systems. This enables the maintenance team of a hotel to fun
hui wang

The Advantages of Point-of-Sale Systems | eHow.com - 0 views

www.ehow.com/ges-point_of_sale-systems.html

evaluation restaurants controlling cost benefits

shared by hui wang on 01 Mar 13 - No Cached
  • Point-of-sale systems have replaced traditional cash registers
  • Price Adjustments
  • With a point-of-sale system, you can enter promotion codes for customer discounts
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • You can have your point-of-sale system tailored to your industry
  • hui wang on 01 Mar 13
     
    This article is to emphasize the importance of point of sales system, including the advantages that help restaurant operating business every. For instance, counting is the simplest approach to checking your inventory on the shelves in a small business and this is called stocktaking, especially, for small businesses, like a small toyshop, stocktaking is a thoroughly practical approach. However, most of the time stock management is not that simple, and sometimes the practical option is not the best option. There can be discrepancies between the physical and the stock records, especially when it concerns annual stock management. This is why it is advisable for every business owner to use computerized POS systems in stock management. The best thing about having a computerized POS System in the retail business is: as new stocks arrives and as it is sold, it keeps the stock levels current and updated, hence making it is easier to identify which items are selling and which items are not. A POS System is also good in checking for any obsolete or out of date stock that needs to be disposed. For the managers, if they are still counting the inventory manually on the shelves or in the warehouse, something should be thought twice about the lacking of efficiency method, for there are many advantages in using a POS System mentioned in this article. One advantage of a POS System is its ability to help the business achieve detailed real-time stock level information. In addition, a POS System can also give some information such as weather forecasts, public holidays and major sporting events, which can be of great help in determining the stock level of seasonal products. Managers can now efficiently and effectively handle their stock management accurately.
Sasha Bravo

The Future of the Hotel Industry and Social Media - 0 views

mashable.com/...hotel-industry-social-media

shared by Sasha Bravo on 28 Mar 13 - No Cached
  • Unlike many modern industries, most of what a hotel does needs to happen offline. It's hard to deliver room service or make beds with a click. But hotels are experimenting with plenty of other ways to improve service and connect with customers using social media.
  • Here are six ways that social media could make that impact on the hotel industry.
  • A concierge with a Twitter feed could be a powerful thing. Instead of making a single stop at the concierge desk to collect brochures, guests could ask questions before they get to the hotel, from their rooms, or while they're out exploring.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • f mobile geolocation features alert a hotel that you are in the building, it creates the opportunity for them to pitch relevant services. Perhaps when you arrive, for instance, management will encourage you to come down to the bar and enjoy a complimentary cocktail.
  • Interacting with customers using Facebook and Twitter can improve customer service. The idea of personalized customer service was also possible with a telephone number. But it's vastly easier with social media.
  • This strategy has successfully recovered previously dissatisfied customers. It also gives Marriott the ability to solve problems for customers as they arise.
  • About two years ago, Wolf asked Marriott's online network what they wanted from their social media interaction with the hotel brands. "I figured the last thing they wanted were deals, that they just wanted to engage," Wolf says. "And they said, no, they wanted deals.”
  • Fairmont and Omni Hotels & Resorts are two examples of chains that tweet or Facebook last-minute special offers in hopes of unloading their unbooked inventory.
  • Social media can make it easier for both large brands and small independent hotels to tell their stories. In the case of large brands, hotels have the opportunity to highlight individual properties. Potential Hilton guests, for instance, can check out videos of each Caribbean hotel on YouTube.
  • Smaller companies can use social media to reach their customers without a national advertising budget. Many hotels use Twitter, for instance, to communicate promotions and remind customers what they're about.
  • Sasha Bravo on 28 Mar 13
     
    this article is very interesting, going over the future of hospitality and social media. It goes over 6 major changes they believe are affecting hospitality directly. The one that i found interesting is the use of twitter as a concierge as well as a method to improve costumer service. I never thought about the ability to use this technology as a concierge with the ability to have access to hotel services!
Jennifer Mesa

Beyond 2005: Top Technologies That Will Redefine the Hotels of the Future - 0 views

hotels.about.com/...future_hotels.htm

biometrics airport Amsterdam hotel robot

shared by Jennifer Mesa on 23 Mar 13 - No Cached
  • Biometrics, a security technology that identifies individuals by retina scans, fingerprints or voice prints, is already in use at government and private industry installations. The lock on your hotel room's safe may soon be triggered by a retina scan. Guests of future hotels might also forget about room keys and check in to hotels with just a glance. An airport in Amsterdam is paving the way with the first public installation of retina scans replacing passport checks at security checkpoints.
  • I'm still dreaming about living in a Jetsons-style home that cleans itself, but I may see it in a hotel room first. In an interview with Travel+Leisure magazine, consultant Grace Leo-Andrieu imagines hotels of the future which offer "services that may not necessarily be performed by humans. Food and drinks could be dispensed by machines or robots, rooms could be cleaned by built-in vacuum and disinfecting systems, and a quick back-and-foot massage could be provided by a robotic apparatus."
  • Jennifer Mesa on 23 Mar 13
     
    The future of hospitality is approaching sooner than we thought. Biometric technology for airports is about to launch in an airport in Amsterdam eliminating passport and some other security measures. Also, hotels are looking into robots that clean room and maybe even give you a massage! 
Hanqing Yang

Technology and its Role in Modern Event Planning - 1 views

nuevents.wordpress.com/...tech-and-events

shared by Hanqing Yang on 26 Mar 13 - No Cached
  • New technologies have impacted nearly every facet of our lives, from the way we communicate to the ways we entertain ourselves. Technology now plays a key role in event planning, and is used in a variety of ways to streamline, enhance, and broadcast events. It has changed both the way we experience and organize events. I asked members of the Northeastern Events team what they thought the role of technology was in event planning.
  • Advances in technology will continue to change and enchance our event experiences. For better or for worse, technology is here to stay.
  • yongwei hao on 26 Mar 13
     
    New technologies have impacted nearly every facet of our lives, from the way we communicate to the ways we entertain ourselves. Technology now plays a key role in event planning, and is used in a variety of ways to streamline, enhance, and broadcast events. It has changed both the way we experience and organize events. I asked members of the Northeastern Events team what they thought the role of technology was in event planning.
  • ...1 more comment...
  • Yuting Peng on 30 Mar 13
     
    The new technologies has changed our life from several aspects, and now technology plays a key role in event planning. It has changed both the way we experience and organize events. But people still hold different opinions about the technologies used in event planning. First and foremost, the new tech can increase the working efficient. The online experience can influence people's expectations which will push planners to exceed those expectations. In addition, technology enhances the impact of the events with theatrical lighting and effects. Finally, new tech can help them improve the quality of the event and the online working can not only save time and money, but also environmentally friendly. Technology will continue to change and enhance the event planning industry.
  • Catherine Gibson on 03 Apr 13
     
    I particularly liked this article because it didnt just touch on one device particularly that helps the events industry however it touched on the lasting effects of multiple new technology devices. One of the articles main points was using technology with a purpose to be innovating and not just having it there because we've moved into a techno era where we expect certain levels of technology to be present. I won't give too much away but this is a really good read.
  • Hanqing Yang on 17 Jul 13
     
    Technology now plays a key role in event planning, and is used in a variety of ways to streamline, enhance, and broadcast events. It has changed both the way we experience and organize events. Using the wide varieties of software available one person can do the same amount of work two or three people previously did manually. Streaming events in real-time on the web has been one our latest successful ventures into using technology to improve our events.Advances in technology will continue to change and enchance our event experiences.
anonymous

Internet Marketing Executive Takes New Job at Noble Studios - 0 views

www.prweb.com/...prweb10562677.htm

shared by anonymous on 01 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • Noble Studios, a full-service digital agency based in Reno, Nevada, has added an experienced Internet marketing professional to their management team. Chad Hallert, former director of e-commerce and Internet marketing at the Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino, has accepted a position with Noble Studios in Reno
  • anonymous on 01 Apr 13
     
    Noble Studies is adding Chad Hallert to their team. Hallert is a former internet marking director at the Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino. At Noble Studios he will work with clients to maximize performance and ROI. His previous experience involved web development for their casino websites, which helped to increase profitability. This is an interesting move by Noble Studios to hire Chad Hallert. This will give the company an edge because Hallert specialized in casino and hotel e-marketing. This could help bring in more hospitality based clients to Noble Studios. Hallart is highly thought of in Nevada and has been recognized for his knowledge in technology marketing.
Grant Beck

10 E-Commerce Predictions For 2013 - Forbes - 0 views

www.forbes.com/...-commerce-predictions-for-2013

shared by Grant Beck on 31 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Consumers
  • Consumers
  • people are spending, and continuing to spend, more and more online.
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • brick-and-mortar retailers scramble to keep pace with a digitally driven world.
  • consumers are demanding optimized and personalized sites
  • Companies that don’t test won’t get anywhere near providing the best online experiences for their audience.
  • B-to-B sites
  • expect to see more of the general information they share online used by companies.
  • a completely seamless e-commerce experience no matter where they are—at their desktops, on their smartphones and tablets, or on social pages and sites—is a must-have.
  • brands getting a handle on big data to deliver to customers more targeted offers across all channels in real time.
  • brands using social data to personalize experiences on their websites, as well as applying testing and personalization to their own Facebook pages.
  • Because consumers are climbing on board with personalization, they should expect
  • are likely to use testing and personalization to create well-optimized and targeted sites based on user behaviors.
  • Grant Beck on 31 Jan 13
     
    This brief article is taken from Forbes and in it Paul Dunay offers 10 Predictions (or expectations in some cases) for the year in e-commerce. It has been seen that e-commerce has grown year to year, specifically on Cyber Monday which shows people are spending more online. The predictions range from consumer expectations to the use of personal data collected by companies. In my opinion the predictions are very straight forward and almost assumed in today's technological world in regards to customer expectations. The prediction of companies using data they have collected to help improve their e-commerce experience is very intriguing however, and suprising that this is not common practice already. It will be very interesting to see if & how these predicitions develop, especially with social media and the use of personal data. Overall it's an interesting article and provokes some good thought on e-commerce.
Long Jin

POS Management - Tool to Increase Sales Rate - 0 views

ezinearticles.com/?POS-Management---Tool-to-Increase-Sales-Rate&id=5151195

pos hospitality technology

shared by Long Jin on 03 Oct 12 - No Cached
  • This POS management software provides them with an opportunity to analyze consumer demand and the rate of sales according to the demand.
  • The owners of businesses make use of this software POS management to get daily periodic reports.
  • This improvised consumer support function with the assistance of POS management software makes the firm even more dependable and trustworthy.
  • Long Jin on 03 Oct 12
     
    This article introduced POS which is the tool to increase sales rate. The author pointed out that the POS management software can help the hotel analyze consumer demand and increase the rate of sales based on analyze. The author thought it is very easy to manage multiple activities when the hotel is small. However, if the business is big, then it is very hard to manage. The POS software can help for those businesses and it is very efficient in calculations. Also the hotel can make use of this software to get daily periodic reports. These reports can assist them to assess properly whether the customers are satisfied with their service or not. Based on the analyze, the hotel can make specific strategy to increase the sales rate and the system can enhances the customer service.
Joshua Frost

Reforming hospitals with IT investment - McKinsey Quarterly - Health Care - Strategy & ... - 1 views

www.mckinseyquarterly.com/pitals_with_IT_investment_2653

shared by Joshua Frost on 23 Oct 12 - No Cached
  • Mandated upgrades to health care IT will demand heavy investments by providers but will help them minimize waste and standardize best medical practice.
  • New regulations that require US health care providers to use electronic health records (EHR) and adhere to strict data-coding standards will force hospitals to spend billions of dollars over the next decade to upgrade their IT systems.
  • We estimate that total savings across the US provider landscape could be on the order of $40 billion annually.
  • Joshua Frost on 23 Oct 12
     
    IT Investments are on the rise in this world. The thought of savings money and appearing to be environmentally conciscious catches the eye of many big companies and industries. In the case of this article, United States health care providers are now demanding that hospitals make the switch from traditional paper systems to an all electronic system. This investment will cost health providers billions of dollars for the time being, however the return on investment could be a $40 billion savings for the industry in savings alone. The return on investment regarding this switch from paper to computer will require proper training and management skills in order to be successful.
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